Straw-cutter



W. GALE.

Straw Cutter.

Patented Dec. 21, 1852.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FETCE,

WARREN GALE, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

STRAW-CUTTEB.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 9,482, dated December 21, 1852.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVARREN GALE, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Cutting Straw, Corn-Fodder, and other Similar Substances, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a machine having my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2, represents a plan of the same, and Fig. 3, represents a transverse section at the line m a" of Fig. 2.

My improved machine is designed to divide stalks of straw, cornfodder, and other similar substances, into short pieces, by means of a series of cutters which act simultaneously upon it throughout its entire length, thus dividing it into the required number of parts at a single stroke. The cutting mechanism which operates in this manner consists of a rotating cylinder (A) with two series (more or less) of hooked knives (a each of which constitutes the moving member of a pair of shears, and these revolving knives act in connection with a series of fixed knives (11) secured to and projecting from a fixed stock (B) parallel to the axis ofthe rotating cylinder (A). The cylinder (A) and fixed knife stock (13) are mounted upon a substantial frame (C) which also carries the rest of the acting parts of the mechanism. The cylinder (A) with its arms or knives (a) I prefer, for cheapness, to make of cast iron in a single piece, the barrel of the cylinder is covered with a series of annular grooves (a?) and ridges (a in alternate order the arms (a) projecting from the ridges; the inner or concave corners of the arms should be regular and sharp, and set truly in the plane of rotation which is at right angles to the axis of the cylinder. Journals are formed on each end of the cylinder which rest in suitable bearings secured to the upper cross bars of the ends of the frame. The knife stock (B) is secured across the front side of the frame on a level with the cylinder; a series of narrow transverse slots are formed in this stock into which a series of thin steel, wrought iron, or chilled cast iron plates (6) are placed and held by means of set screws or otherwise; these plates correspond in number with the arms upon the cylinder and each plate is so placed that its upper edge will stand close to the plane in which the arms (a) of the cylinder rotate, in order that the edges of the two may pass almost in contact in the manner of shears; the outer extremities of these knives (b) extend into the annular grooves (64 on the barrel of the cylinder so that when the stalks of straw roll down against the fixed knives (b) they may not pass uncut between the ends of the same and the barrel of the cylinder. The fixed knives may all stand on the same side of the rotating knives; or for the purpose of balancing the pressure, one half of the fixed knives may be on one side of half the rotating arms, and the other half of the fixed knives may be on the other side of the other half of the rotating arms, this is the arrangement which I prefer, as it diminishes the friction upon the bearings of the rotating cylinder (A) and tends to equalize the wear of the machine.

On one of the projecting ends of the j ournal of the cylinder a fast pulley (D) and a loose pulley (E) are mounted to adapt the machine to be driven by belts from any suitable or convenient prime mover. And in order more effectually to equalize the motion of the machine a balance wheel (F) is mounted upon the opposite projecting journal of the cylinder.

The frame at the back of the machine rises above the cylinder to form the back of a feeding trough, while the front of the feed ing trough is formed by an inclined slotted board (Gr) upon which the straw, corn stalks, &c., are placed parallel to the cylinder and in that position pressed down toward the knives by a series of hinged pressing or feeding bars (I) there being a bar for each slot in the feed board (G). Each bar has such a curve that when depressed upon straw lying on the feed board it will tend to force the same in toward the cylinder, the bars thus shaped are each hinged at its rear end to the uppermost side bar of the back of the frame while the front extremity of each is joined to a bar ((Z) parallel to the cylinder and far enough forward to rise clear of the front edge of the feed board (G) and forms the handle of said bars.

The operation is as follows: The cylinder being put into rapid motion in the direction of the arrow, the bar or handle (d).is raised to elevate the pressing bars (I) above the feed board (G), an armful of straw, etc., is then placed upon the feed board with the stalks parallel to the cylinder and the pressing bars are now allowed to descend and press the straw down to meet the rotating knives or arms which will at each revolution take down as many stalks as they can grasp, and sever them into lengths corresponding to the distance at which the fixed knives stand apart, and discharge the pieces thus out upon the floor beneath. If the weight of the pressing bars should not be sufficient to feed the stalks down to the arms fast enough, the attendant may increase the pressure by bearing down upon the bar (d) to which the front extremity of the pressing bars are attached, when one armful is cut in this manner, a second may be introduced, and the rapidity with which the machine works will keep from one to several men busily employed to supply it with straw, even when fed by armfuls.

It is obvious that the whole machine may be made of metal when it is desirable to give it great strength, or it may be made with a wooden frame leaving the working parts to be made of metal. Various modifications may also be made in the form and arrangement of the parts as well as in the material of which they are made; as for example, the

fixed knives, or the revolving arms may be made adjustable so as to bring either of their opposite sides to act in connection alternately so that when the corners of the adjacent sides when working in one position become worn and rounded and cease to out well, the other sides which are unworn and sharp may be made to act until they are also worn; thus the machine can be made to last twice as long as if both sides of the arms and fixed knives could not in succession be made to work together.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

Constructing the rotating cutting cylinder substantially as described with a series of parallel annular grooves and ridges and a series of cutting arms or knives, in combination with a series of fixed knives so arranged that they enter the grooves and interlock or lap past the annular ridges on the cylinder, and thereby prevent the stalks of straw, &c,, from descending between the fixedknives and cylinder without being out substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WARREN GALE. Witnesses:

J CLIFFORD, Jos. CLEMENT. 

